Glenn Thompson

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Oregon, (Mr. Walden), an Eagle Scout.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. I thank the ranking member for his generosity and his leadership on the important issue of agriculture, and certainly on this bill as well. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Byrne).

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. I have some additional speakers. That would be appreciated.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Chairman, can I inquire as to how much time remains?

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Barletta), chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Nevada (Mr. Amodei).

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Yoho).

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Duncan).

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. I yield the gentleman an additional 1 minute.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Benishek), a member of the Conservation and Forestry Subcommittee.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in strong support and as an original cosponsor of H.R. 2647, the Resilient Federal Forests Act of 2015. Since the inception of the National Forest System in 1905, the fundamental mission of the Forest Service has been to manage our Federal forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. As a result, the Forest Service has played a critical role in rural America, partnering to produce timber, natural resources, and jobs, while sustaining the ecological health of the forests and surrounding watersheds. National forests have been extremely successful in creating recreational and educational opportunities for millions of Americans. However, our forests are facing declining health and simply are not managed as well as they need to be due to numerous challenges that have grown over the past few decades. Often unnecessary and prolonged planning processes limit the Service from effectively managing our forests. This also goes along with the constant litigation, or even the threat of litigation in some cases. Both of these situations keep boots in the office instead of in the forests and spend money on doing paperwork instead of work in the field. The costs of suppressing and fighting wildfires has been a growing challenge for the Forest Service, with their fire costs increasing from 13 percent of the Forest Service budget in 1995 to approximately half of the annual budget today. This epidemic of declining health and catastrophic wildfires are in direct correlation to policies that have led to a dramatic decrease in managed acres. Timber harvests have drastically plummeted from almost 13 billion board feet in the late 1980s to only 3 billion board feet of timber in recent years. At the same time, the number of acres affected by the catastrophic wildfires has doubled from around 3 million acres during the second record timber harvest to 6 million acres now. This bill reverses this cycle by ending the destructive fire borrowing problem that robs Peter to pay Paul, and it does so in a fiscally responsible manner, with the funds only made available for wildfire suppression. In my view, this legislation is the next step to build upon the groundwork laid by the 2014 farm bill and is an earnest attempt to give the Forest Service more authority and much-needed flexibility to deal with these challenges of process, funding, litigation, necessary timber harvesting, and much-needed management. H.R. 2647 incentivizes and rewards collaborations with the private sector on management activities. It allows for State and third-party funding of projects. The bill reauthorizes the resource advisory committees, known as RACs, while returning county shares of forest receipts for long-term stewardship projects. Perhaps most importantly, the bill provides commonsense categorical exclusions, or CEs, for certain Forest Service projects. These CEs are routine and have known impacts and will expedite the planning process to get projects up and running. To conclude, this is a thoughtful piece of legislation that will do much to help the Forest Service to better do its job. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes.'' I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous materials on the bill, H.R. 2647.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Abraham).

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, today, I introduced a bipartisan resolution with my friend and colleague from Rhode Island, Mr. Jim Langevin, to recognize the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America on their 70th anniversary. Family, Career and Community Leaders of America is a national career and technical student organization that promotes personal growth, leadership development, and career preparation opportunities for students in family and consumer science education. Since the program was launched 70 years ago to this day, more than 10 million students have participated and gained the knowledge, skills, and credentials needed to secure careers in growing, high-demand fields. I was pleased to welcome FCCL students from Forest County, Pennsylvania, today. Mr. Speaker, as co-chair of the bipartisan Congressional Career and Technical Education Caucus, I ask my friends to get behind this bipartisan resolution to support the goals and ideals of Family, Career and Community Leaders of America. Now, more than ever, our young people need assurances that the skills they attain will lead to good-paying, family-sustaining jobs, and career and technical education programming can make those assurances.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, although we have recently entered into July, I rise today in recognition of National Dairy Month, which has taken place every June since 1937. As I travel across Pennsylvania and throughout the Pennsylvania Fifth Congressional District, I am always inspired by our farmers and our farm families. They work hard. They work 7 days a week. Their work is arduous, and the challenges of running a farm are never ending. Mr. Speaker, farming isn't just a business to these hardworking folks; it is the fabric of rural America. The Commonwealth's history is rooted in agriculture, and the dairy industry continues to be the largest sector of this industry. Most, about 99 percent of our dairy farms in Pennsylvania, are family-owned and operated, and our average herd size is about 72 head. The Commonwealth's robust dairy industry produces 10 billion pounds of milk annually, and that number continues to surge. In fact, Pennsylvania ranks fifth in the Nation when it comes to dairy production. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of National Dairy Month, in support of our dairy farmers and farm families, and to also say thank you to all of these folks for providing us with food and fiber.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. I thank the chairman. However, rather than acting punitively, EPA must work collaboratively with the States. Mr. Chairman, I strongly support this amendment, and I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes.''

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of Mr. Goodlatte's amendment. Since 2009, I have been hearing directly from my constituents--many of who are small farmers--about the significant challenges and costs of the Chesapeake Bay total maximum daily load mandate. These significant concerns also extend to the State and local governments because of the billions of dollars in direct costs and new regulatory burdens that TMDL imposes. No doubt the Chesapeake Bay is a national treasure, but it is quickly becoming the national treasury with all these costs and taxes upon our States and local municipalities. The Agriculture Committee's Conservation and Forestry Subcommittee, which I have the honor of chairing, has also heard directly from the stakeholders over the past few Congresses. While each and every one of these witnesses wholeheartedly supports the restoration of the Chesapeake Bay, there remains great concern over the lack of consistent models, the heavy-handed approach of TMDL, and the lack of needed flexibility while implementing the WIPs. This amendment is needed in order to allow for that flexibility at the State and local levels. Pennsylvania has been very innovative in our efforts to do our part with the Bay restoration, and that innovation will continue into the future.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentlewoman for her perspectives. Certainly, a number of those points I agree with--the value of the bats--as chairman of the Conservation and Forestry Subcommittee. In agriculture, bats serve a very important purpose. I also agree with her premise, although I think her interpretation of what the science is is somewhat misguided. The science is extremely important, and the science has shown, in fact, the agency responsible for oversight on the Endangered Species Act has publicly acknowledged, that any job-crushing restrictions on industries related to habitat under an endangered listing with these bats will not help the northern long-eared bats. The threat really is going to an endangered listing which would do that. I would agree that the Fish and Wildlife Service needs resources and, quite frankly, they are getting those. Just last week they released $1 million toward studying the white-nose syndrome. Within this underlying bill, I believe there is an amount of $10 million to study the white- nose syndrome. It is a fungus. It is not habitat, and it is not the industries that work within those habitats. And so, quite frankly, we need to give the Fish and Wildlife Service what they need, and that is the support that they have already, that they released last week through many grants throughout many States, and the underlying $10 million in this underlying bill. I would just ask for support of my amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Chairman, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has released a final 4(d) rule listing the northern long-eared bat as ``threatened'' under the Endangered Species Act. While certain colonies of the species of bat have seen dramatic population losses in recent years, Fish and Wildlife has repeatedly asserted that the underlying fundamental cause is a fungal disease known as the white-nose syndrome. White-nose syndrome does not directly kill or harm these bats. Rather, it wakes them out of hibernation, resulting in the bats burning through stored fat and leaving their hibernacula in search of food when none is often found or available. I am pleased that the underlying legislation contains funding for white-nose syndrome research. Bats play a critical role in the ecosystem, and more needs to be done in order to restore colonies devastated by white-nose. However, as we allow for necessary habitat conservation, we must also ensure that activities occurring in the bats' range are not unreasonably or unnecessarily impacted as a result of the Endangered Species Act listing. Specifically, such a listing could have great impacts on forest management, forest products, agriculture, energy production, mining, and commercial development. Because this species of bat is found in 38 States and Washington, D.C., a listing under the Endangered Species Act would have significant impacts through this enormous geographical range. My amendment is simple. It merely prohibits the Department of the Interior, for a period of 1 year, from considering any new rules beyond the final 4(d) rule or any action to treat the northern long-eared bat as endangered, which is the most restrictive form of ESA listing. The intention is to ensure reasonable land use within the bats' range while Fish and Wildlife continues to research and work with the States on finding treatments for white-nose syndrome. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the YWCA of Bradford, Pennsylvania, on celebrating its 100-year anniversary. The YWCA of Bradford, which started as the Young Women's Christian League in 1915, seeks to eliminate racism; empower women; and promote peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. In the 1980s, the YWCA was converted from a social organization to one based on service. Since then, it has been the home of McKean County's first program to provide services to victims of domestic and sexual assault. During its centennial year, the YWCA of Bradford expanded its programs to include services and shelters for the homeless, mentally ill, and intellectually disabled. Meals on Wheels and a food pantry are among the other new amenities offered by the organization. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to honor an organization that has worked so hard to improve its community, and I thank the YWCA of Bradford for its dedicated service to the citizens of McKean County, Pennsylvania.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I rise today to celebrate the life of Michael James Sullivan and offer my condolences to his friends and family. Michael passed away on June 14, 2015, after an 11-year battle against ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. When Michael was diagnosed with ALS in 2004, he was determined not to let the disease control his life. He found hope in his family, friends, and faith. This hope encouraged him to become an advocate for the 30,000 other Americans who live with ALS. Mike encouraged others and their families to be strong and resilient in the face of illness. His upbeat and optimistic personality was a constant reminder to take advantage of every opportunity that life hands us. He was a frequent visitor to my office. He was a tireless self-advocate who remained upbeat, compassionate, and personable--even in the face of a horribly debilitating disease. Mr. Speaker, we can all learn from Michael Sullivan's exemplary service, selflessness, and love. He will be greatly missed. His friends and family are blessed to have known such an honorable man. In the words of Michael: ``One day together, we can create a world without ALS.''

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from Minnesota. I rise today as a 30-year health care professional and a proud cosponsor of H.R. 160, the Protect Medical Innovation Act of 2015. This bill would repeal the Affordable Care Act's 2.3 percent tax on medical devices. These are medical devices that save and improve lives for millions of Americans. These devices include pacemakers, artificial joints, CAT scan machines, and many, many more. Mr. Speaker, the medical device tax is a terrible policy that is stifling innovation and United States competitiveness and is hurting small businesses all across the Nation, and certainly in the Pennsylvania Fifth Congressional District. This legislation, which has strong bipartisan support, will help to protect American jobs, keep America at the cutting edge of technological medical advances, and preserve a patient's access to affordable, lifesaving devices. Having served in a nonprofit healthcare setting for three decades, I rise today and ask my colleagues to join me in voting to repeal this unnecessary and very harmful tax.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, a recent poll conducted by Robert Morris University reveals that 57.1 percent of Pennsylvanians support natural gas production and hydraulic fracturing, with nearly half saying they would welcome the industry into their hometown. This poll comes just 2 weeks after the Environmental Protection Agency released a report indicating that fracking poses ``no widespread systemic harm to drinking water.'' Mr. Speaker, Pennsylvania is the third largest natural gas producer in the Nation and continues to drive record-breaking oil and natural gas production. The Marcellus shale, which extends through most of Pennsylvania, has grown from less than 2 billion cubic feet per day in 2007 to 16 billion in 2014 and has jolted Pennsylvania's economy. As co-chair of the bipartisan Congressional Natural Gas Caucus, I will continue to explore and promote best practices so that we can highlight the safety and the positive impacts of natural gas.